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Woodbridge, VA-Amidst swirling winds at Pfitzner Stadium, the Potomac Nationals (6-7, 2-5) and Frederick Keys (8-5, 3-1) engaged in an extra inning seesaw slugfest that lasted three hours and 40 minutes and took 12 innings to decide before the Keys clinched the series opening contest by the final score of 9-8.

The P-Nats tallied a trio of runs in the 1st inning off Frederick RHP Zach Petersime, who did not receive a decision, with an RBI double to left center field off the bat of CF Michael Taylor, a Jason Martinson run scoring double to the right center field alley way, and an opposite field RBI single by 1B Kevin Keyes.

Potomac RHP A.J. Cole, who also didn't factor into the decision, was perfect through 3.0 innings before surrendering an RBI groundout in the 4th inning to SS Sammie Starr following a Glynn David triple off the center field wall to cut the P-Nats lead to 3-1.

Frederick cranked out four runs in the 6th stanza off Cole and LHP Ben Hawkins as C Zane Chavez lined an RBI single to left field, DH Allan de San Miguel belted a two-run homer over the center field barrier into the teeth of a breeze magnetized towards the flag court in center, and 1B Connor Narron, who doubled to left, was able to score on a dropped pop up by 3B Adrian Sanchez.

The Nationals answered with four runs of their own in the 7th inning as SS Cutter Dykstra wrapped an RBI groundout and DH Jason Martinson lofted a three-run opposite field home run to right field, his fifth four-bagger of the season to give the Nationals a 7-5 advantage.

P-Nats RHP Derek Self (BS 2) blew his second save of the season in the 8th frame allowing an RBI double to RF Brenden Webb to the right center field wall and a two-run single by LF Steven Bumbry into right center field to propel Frederick to an 8-7 lead.

The Nationals tied the game with an RBI sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 9th inning by Dykstra off RHP Marcel Prado (BS 1) who blew his save scoring LF Billy Burns who reached on an infield single capped with a headfirst hustle into the first base bag.

After a stalemate that traveled into the top of the 12th inning the Keys were the beneficiaries of de San Miguel's second homer of the game, a ball yanked over the left field fence to give Frederick a 9-8 lead they would not relinquish off RHP Colin Bates (0-2), the losing pitcher.

In Game Two on Friday night, the P-Nats send LHP Kylin Turnbull (0-2, 12.00) to face off with RHP Zach Davies (1-0, 3.27) as the Nationals look to even their 2013 head-to-head record with their local Carolina League foe.

The Potomac Nationals of the Carolina League play at Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge, Virginia, and are the Class-A Advanced affiliate of the Washington Nationals. P-Nats 2013 season tickets and mini plans are on sale now. Sponsorship opportunities for the '13 season are now available. Plan your corporate outing now in preparation for the summer months as the P-Nats offer discounted group rates and all-inclusive picnic options. Visit the P-Nats online at www.potomacnationals.com or call the ticket office at 703-590-2311 for more!

-- Potomac Nationals -

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This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.